Writing For Professionals Certificate (Online)
Program Highlights
A professionally written document is articulate, persuasive, concise, and usable. Experienced faculty will hone your competency in grammar and spelling and refine your writing style for a variety of different applications, from professional and concise business documents to web based communications. Exchange ideas with a group of like-minded peers as you learn how to plan, structure, manage and promote your written work.
Is this You?
This is an essential certificate for anyone whose job includes writing, editing or proof reading as well as those who want to add these skills to their resume for a competitive edge.
Career Prospects
- Technical writer, manual preparation
- Consulting and Research Firms
- Editor/Proof reader
- Online contributor
- Publishing Industry, including non-fiction author
- Professional development for office and administrative staff
Recommended skills and pre-requisites
Basic Windows computer and Internet skills (managing files and folders).
Mandatory Courses
Business Report Writing - ONLINE
COMM 58
Learn how to structure written reports from memos to formal presentations in a way that is precise, clear and easy to read. This course is ideal for anyone who finds the report writing demands of the job outstrip their training. Master reports through a series of ten assignments ranging from simple memos to formal reports under the guidance of a professional writer.
| Start | Ends | Sect. | Duration | Day/Time | Location | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 03, 2013 | Sep 09, 2013 | 03 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Jul 02, 2013 | Oct 08, 2013 | 04 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Aug 01, 2013 | Nov 07, 2013 | 05 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
Grammar for Writing Professionals
LANG 28
Gain experience in the editing and proofreading process, recognizing and correcting errors in accordance with accepted Canadian standards. You will also study the importance of working as part of an editing team to help produce acceptable full length manuscripts. This course examines the use of grammar ? participants should already possess competent English language skills including basic grammar (or Writing Grammatically (LANG 35).
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Technical Communications
COMM 84
Engage in various technical writing problems that will challenge you to generate practical solutions that are clear, focused and expressed in appropriate language style. Develop the sound thinking and planning skills that are fundamental to communicating successfully in technical fields. In addition, you will conduct online research, collaborate with other learners and format technical information to industry standards using text and graphics on your computer.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Writing Grammatically
LANG 35
Catch up on the rules of English grammar in a comprehensive, easy-to-follow manner. The course begins with a review of sentence parts, moves on to an indepth explanation of sentence structuring, and culminates in a practical review of stylistic conventions in business writing.
| Start | Ends | Sect. | Duration | Day/Time | Location | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 03, 2013 | Sep 09, 2013 | 03 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Jul 02, 2013 | Oct 08, 2013 | 04 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Aug 01, 2013 | Nov 07, 2013 | 05 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
Electives (3 Required)
Business Writing Strategies - ONLINE
COMM 55
Develop practical writing skills using technology for successful communication in business. Learn how to compose business correspondence including emails, memoranda, letters, and reports with a focus on routine, persuasive, and negative messages. The course includes a review of grammar and mechanics. Powerpoint will be used as part of this course.
| Start | Ends | Sect. | Duration | Day/Time | Location | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 03, 2013 | Sep 09, 2013 | 03 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Jul 02, 2013 | Oct 08, 2013 | 04 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Aug 01, 2013 | Nov 07, 2013 | 05 | 48 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
Critical Thinking
SOCI 75
How do your own hidden assumptions, values, and biases affect your decision making? In this collaborative environment, you will analyze the manipulative techniques used by individuals, vested interest groups and the media. Learn how to identify both false and misleading arguments. In addition, you will write argument papers in which you trace the history of a social/political issue in Canadian society, and present arguments, supported by research, that take a stand on the issue.
| Start | Ends | Sect. | Duration | Day/Time | Location | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 03, 2013 | Sep 09, 2013 | 03 | 45 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Jul 02, 2013 | Oct 08, 2013 | 04 | 45 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Aug 01, 2013 | Nov 07, 2013 | 05 | 45 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
Desktop Publishing for Business - ONLINE
COMP 158
Using Microsoft Word, you will learn to combine basic design principles and techniques to produce a variety of printed matter, such as stationery, business cards, posters, newsletters, resumes, and more. This is a practical, hands-on course that will place emphasis on producing real-life, professional materials using specific desktop publishing terminology and document-handling techniques. Software required: Microsoft Word 2007 or 2010.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Introduction to Non-Fiction
COMM 165
Determine an idea's marketability in the non-fiction market, target a reading population, participate in critical discussions about issues in non-fiction writing, and learn how to effectively research a topic or project. You will develop a draft of a professional book proposal/query and several story drafts. You will also learn strategies for marketing yourself and your work effectively.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Microsoft - Word Specialist - ONLINE
COMP 220
Learn to create, edit, format and print documents. Use paragraph, page and character formatting commands. Create multiple page documents with tables and desktop publishing using MS-Word. Course material covers both 2007 and 2010 versions. Software: Word 2007 or newer. Microsoft Word Expert (advanced) COMP 196 also available.
| Start | Ends | Sect. | Duration | Day/Time | Location | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 03, 2013 | Sep 09, 2013 | 03 | 30 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Jul 02, 2013 | Oct 08, 2013 | 04 | 30 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
| Aug 01, 2013 | Nov 07, 2013 | 05 | 30 hours | N/A | Add course | ||
Researching and Reporting - ONLINE
COMM 51
In this 39-hour online course communication skills are developed through hands-on application. Students can choose examples related to their careers or from sample assignments. Participants define a problem, collect research using print sources, the Internet, interviews and questionnaires, and present their findings in reports. Prerequisite: Post-secondary basic level communications course.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Writing a Business Manual
COMM 86
Discover how to write clear, concise, context-specific descriptive prose that will enable you to produce effective instructions and manuals. A project planning approach to determining sections, headings, page layout and packaging will be examined in terms of audience analysis, the incorporation of visuals and collaborative writing. You will complete a business manual suitable for use as a company handbook of operational policies, responsibilities and procedures.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Writing a Proposal
COMM 91
This project-based course will systematically guide you through the entire process of producing a proposal. You will describe your chosen topic, produce an initial plan, then create a hierarchical framework of headings, and finally develop a detailed written outline. Paragraph structure, sentence composition, and word choice will also be reviewed to ensure effective writing.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Writing for Publication I
COMM 71
Examine the publishing process and available opportunities for writers as well as the key elements of major genres. You will follow the various steps of manuscript preparation, from query letter to polished final draft and on to professional submission.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Writing for Publication II
COMM 74
This course focuses on the publishing process with emphasis on the Canadian magazine trade. Students will be encouraged to develop their ideas into acceptable compositions and to approach suitable publishers for their work.Prerequisite: Introductory Computer Course.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Writing for Sales Material
COMM 88
Examine the craft of persuasive writing as it applies to sales letters and promotional material. Learn to analyze the logical and rhetorical structure of effective sales material and to apply similar strategies to your own persuasive writing project. The media's use of literary techniques such as allusion and irony are examined. Practice the use of such techniques in persuading target audiences.
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.
Writing for the Web
COMM 168
Using a practical, hands on approach, examine specific issues and skills o f writing for the web, such as writing for emphasis and visual impact, the basics of search engine optimization, sourcing images and incorporating multi-media with text. Gain an understanding the various styles and requirements involved in writing for blogs, online magazines, commercial websites and other textbased
There are no scheduled classes at this time. Please check back soon.